---
title: Trying out Zulip
---

import {Steps} from "@astrojs/starlight/components";

You can start by reading about how [Zulip’s](https://zulip.com/)
unique topic-based threading [combines the best of email and
chat](https://zulip.com/why-zulip/) to make [remote
work](https://zulip.com/for/business/) productive and delightful.

It's also easy to try out Zulip for yourself.

<Steps>
  1. **Check out the Zulip app**. You can:
     * [View the Zulip development community](https://chat.zulip.org/?show_try_zulip_modal),
       where hundreds of participants collaborate to improve Zulip. Many parts of
       the community are open for [public access](/help/public-access-option), so
       you can start exploring without creating an account.
     * [See how Zulip is being used](https://zulip.com/communities/) in open
       organizations that have opted in to be listed in the [Zulip communities
       directory](/help/communities-directory).
  1. [Create a Zulip Cloud organization](https://zulip.com/new/) for free in just
     a few minutes. This is a great way to explore Zulip even if you plan to
     [self-host](https://zulip.com/self-hosting/).
  1. [Invite your teammates](/help/invite-users-to-join) to explore Zulip with you.
     They will have a variety of perspectives on what's important in a chat app.
  1. **Run a week-long Zulip trial** with your team, without using any other chat tools. This
     is the only way to truly experience how a new chat app will help your team
     communicate. You can:
     * Customize [organization settings](/help/customize-organization-settings)
       and [settings for new users](/help/customize-settings-for-new-users), but
       plan to adjust the details as you go.
     * [Create](/help/create-channels) your initial
       [channels](/help/introduction-to-channels), including a dedicated channel for
       questions and feedback about using Zulip.
     * Educate others about how to use Zulip's [topics](/help/introduction-to-topics),
       and how to [move](/help/move-content-to-another-topic) any messages that
       belong elsewhere.
     * Set up [integrations](/help/integrations-overview) so that your team can
       experience all their regular workflows inside the Zulip app.
</Steps>

## Related articles

* [Getting started with Zulip](/help/getting-started-with-zulip)
* [Moving to Zulip](/help/moving-to-zulip)
* [Zulip Cloud or self-hosting?](/help/zulip-cloud-or-self-hosting)
* [Migrating from other chat tools](/help/migrating-from-other-chat-tools)
* [Introduction to topics](/help/introduction-to-topics)
